California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

CDI Action to Secure Insurance Coverage for Autism

CDI is committed to increased access for transformative behavioral therapy for children with autism. The Department's goal is to ensure that insurance companies are in full compliance with California's mental health parity law, which requires that all medically necessary treatment be provided to children with autism, and with other provisions of the insurance code. CDI has taken action to make sure that insurers follow the law including issuing regulations, supporting legislation, enforcement actions, and assisting individual policyholders on a case by case basis.

Below please find detailed information about our actions and additional resources including general resources for autism, guides for finding insurance coverage, and links to other departments where helpful resources concerning autism can be found. Please note that the CDI is not responsible for the content of websites that are not authored by our department - including those from nonprofit organizations and other California State Departments.

The CDI issued both emergency and subsequent permanent regulations interpreting the Mental Health Parity Act and SB 946. The regulations aim to eliminate delays and denials of coverage for autism treatment. The emergency regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law, and became effective on March 11, 2013. The permanent regulations were approved March 7, 2014 and replaced the emergency regulations. The text of the regulations, as well as a Consumer Alert, can be found below.

CDI provided strong support for SB 946, which ensures coverage of behavioral health treatment including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy for autism. In addition, the department continues to monitor new legislation with the potential to impact autism and related disorders. In support of the law, the CDI has initiated enforcement actions against a number of insurers to obtain coverage of ABA therapy. See enforcement actions, below.

Information on Senate Bill 946 and the role the CDI has played in supporting this new law can be found below, along with current relevant legislation and litigation associated with, or having the potential to impact, autism.

Governmental/Scientific Support for ABA Therapy

In terms of ensuring coverage of ABA therapy after the passage of SB 946, the CDI has engaged in the following enforcement actions with insurers to require coverage of behavioral therapy for autism. Also included is a Notice the CDI sent to all admitted insurers in the state of California, reminding them that the CDI is committed to enforcing the provisions of the Insurance Code governing Independent Medical Review of disputed health care.

For help obtaining insurance coverage for autism and other disorders, we hope you'll find the following information useful. Additionally, some general resources have been listed as well as a number of related organizations to visit for further information.

AHIP is a 501 (c3) Public Benefit Corporation that works with families, providers and other relevant parties and helps them secure health insurance and other coverage for autism related interventions. AHIP provides information for both state regulated and self-insured health plans.

Related Organizations

Autism Deserves Equal Coverage (ADEC)'s mission is to help parents, providers, agencies, and other organizations that work with families to secure insurance and coverage interventions for children on the autism spectrum and other disorders.

California Autism Foundation
California Autism Foundation (CAF) offers state funded programs for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.

California Coalition for Mental Health
The CCMH is an advocacy alliance that monitors the implementation of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), and offers trainings and other information regarding the MHSA.

California Healthcare Foundation
CHCF is a nonprofit grantmaking philanthropy that supports ideas and innovations that improve quality, increase efficiency, and the lower the costs of care.

Disability Rights CaliforniaDisability Rights California is a non-profit disability rights organization, working to advance human and legal rights of Californians with disabilities.

Health Access
Health Access is a statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition which undertakes community organizing and education, applied research, and policy analysis, and advocates for reform to benefit health care consumers, both insured and uninsured.

The Autism Society
The primary mission of The Autism Society is to raise and allocate funds to address the many unanswered questions about autism.